Breakfast 2

I'm not sure 2 breakfasts are allowed when we aren't actually riding but I'm making an exception today :) 

Day 2, the finishing line in Dover

152km today, the last 60km was pretty tough, but we made it in good shape and in a reasonable time. We were met by Sian and Landi with food and cold beer. 

 Arrival at the sea front on Dover. Nice of them to give us a finishing line. 

Canterbury, West Gate

Our pilgrimage to Canterbury from London is complete, no bawdy tales to tell, but we are in good shape. It's now only 30km to Dover, we should be there in a little over an hour to be met by Sian and Landi and a late lunch. 

Beer

Milkshake habit

I'm afraid we've developed a bit of a milkshake habit. Not as good as yesterday, but Morrison's shake is lovely none the less. 

Jon and Ted are a little shy about their addiction. 91km down, 59 to go. 

Kent - the garden of England

Hooray, 2nd breakfast

We're in Nell's cafe and have just had our order taken by a "Nell's Angel". It's a proper, old fashioned transport cafe with lots of lorries parked outside, I have high hopes of the bacon and egg sandwich. 

On the way to Dover

We're 55km in, 95km to go and we're in the waste land of Gravesend, cultural desert and not a bacon buttie to be had. I guess it is only 0815 and its Sunday, but you'd have thought Sainsbury's would be open. The ride out was ok, just hoping we can find a snack and a coffee somewhere. 

Lunch at last with the ladies.

Stage 1 - complete!

Although the last section was not as much fun as the Chilterns, it achieved the aim - job done and thanks to Paddy for the pace setting and fizz!

Uxbridge ahoy

We're outside my UK head office in Uxbridge. 123km down in 4:42hrs an only 13km to go, we won't crack open the two mini bottles of prosecco that Paddy gave us just yet, but we're nearly there. 

The milkshake brings all the boys to the yard...

Paddy is about to head home, it's been great having him with us for the last couple of hours. We've stopped in Hazlemere for a milkshake to reenergise before the push into London. 

 

Back to work...

Couldn't resist a detour...

RV with Ted

Having finished our bacon and egg buttie we were joined by Ted for a coffee. Team Sped Spin is formed and ready. 

and we're off!

I promise I will minimise the use of the exclamation mark, but as you can tell from my photo, I was pretty excited to start the ride at 6 this morning. 

Jon and I met as planned and pegged it to Thame 30 minutes ahead of schedule. 2:30 hrs riding for 70km and only another 65km to go. We celebrated with a bacon and egg roll at Buddies while waiting for Ted and Paddy to arrive. 

Jon seen on his third breakfast of the day. 

We ride at dawn

We start our ride to Dover tomorrow morning, we're all leaving from our own homes and meeting on the way. Jon and I will meet at Sherborne and we'll pick Ted up at Thame with our friend Paddy who will join us for the ride though the Chilterns. As you have seen, Ted took a spin to Thame today and I had a very gentle 30km MTB ride with Colin and Nick, while Jon chose to rest, clearly flouting Rule 5.

Naturally (and as you may have guessed) we stopped for refreshments on the way and had a celebratory cider at the Ox House when we returned. The bunting was put up for us of course. 

Part 1 for Ted

Sat at Thame waiting for a train. 33 miles in.   Next stop London tomorrow. 

I hear thunder...

With the road bike out of action for a rebuild before the first stage on Saturday, I had to make do with the MTB instead. Up at 0600 sharp and then a ride out to White Leaf hill, there were still plenty of thunder clouds still around! Road bike now mostly fixed - hopefully ride tomorrow...

Only days before we start the ride

On Saturday we start the UK leg of the ride and will leave home at 6 on the 27th to head to London and then on to Dover, covering 283km over two days. It all feels a bit real now, the training has been good and I think we're ready, but we won't actually know until we're on the ride. I've continued to enjoy shorter rides with friends on mountain bikes, but did manage an 80km on Saturday morning to keep in practice. I'll get out when I can this week, but intend to take it easy so I'm fit for the weekend. 

Still going

The blog has been a little quiet for the last week so I thought I'd post an update. We're all enjoying the spectacular weather and getting out when we can. In my case I've balanced road riding with mountain biking, the tracks are dry and fast so it's great to get off road. I've said before that MTB is my real love and the last week has been proof; whether I'm hurtling down hill on the edge of control or noodling through a wood on single track - being off road is always a joy. I plan to ride tonight, tomorrow night and do a big ride on Saturday as this will be my last chance for a long ride before we do the run to Dover on the 27th and 28th. Lets hope the good weather continues.....

A proper ride

After the road ride on Sunday we got out for a lovely morning on the MTB. Jon, Ted and I were joined by a brace of Colins for a fast off road spin around the hills. 

Back in Northleach.

Team Ride - It's been too long!

Matt, Ted and I are currently enjoying an 80km pit stop at the Prince of Wales in Shrivenham village. A beautiful day, hopefully indicative of days to come in France and Italy. Only another 40km to go and then some serious trip planning required!

Back in the Saddle.

I am hoping that the unexpected bout of June 'man-flu' (the very worst kind of man-flu) will be the last illness I see before set off at the end of this month... Back in the saddle now and another 110km this week so far, with an epic ride up Aston Hill and to Christmas Common. Rest day tomorrow before the commute home by bike - and a very challenging weekend on the chain-gang...